Felicia Wilson, a 19-year-old maiden born in October 1959, resided with her parents in Orelia, a southern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. By entering into matrimony with her fiancé in February 1979, Felicia had recently commenced employment at the Kwinana Community Health Centre, conveniently situated nearby. Regrettably, on January 10th, 1979, her existence met a tragic end as she was fatally assailed while traversing homeward post her work hours. On that fateful day, Felicia failed to return after concluding her duties at 4 p.m., prompting her anxious parents to initiate inquiries when she remained absent by 6 p.m.
James Bryce, Felicia's fiancé, cognizant of her customary route, embarked on a search, yet regrettably, no vestige of her whereabouts was discerned. As the clock neared 9 p.m. with still no sign of Felicia, her distraught parents reluctantly sought the assistance of the police, marking the commencement of their harrowing ordeal.
Starting a New Job
Felicia Wilson had recently embarked on her duties at the Kwinana Community Health Centre (KCHC) on January 8, 1979, appearing to acclimate well to her new role. Departing her residence at 8:25 am on January 10, she was conveyed to work by her father. Throughout the day, Felicia executed her responsibilities diligently and remained in high spirits.
Discovery
On the subsequent morning following Felicia Wilson’s mysterious disappearance, her parents and law enforcement persisted in their frantic quest. At 8 a.m., Mrs. Joy Carter, the secretary of the Kwinana Community Health Centre, accompanied by two nursing sisters, undertook a search. Despite Felicia's brief tenure at the center, her vivacious demeanor had endeared her to the staff.
The nurses traced the 300m path Felicia had traversed the day before, connecting the center with the Council Offices, crossing a hillock through stony scrubland. This locale had garnered a notorious reputation following the heinous demise of local schoolgirl Gina Merrifield in 1972.
After a brief search, the nurses stumbled upon Felicia Wilson's handbag and shoe just off the path. Tracing the debris cautiously, they discovered Felicia’s lifeless form, curled in a fetal position, prompting them to hasten tearfully for assistance. The revelation summoned uniformed and plain-clothed police within moments, as forensic experts meticulously combed the area for evidence. Felicia’s attire and personal effects were strewn, attesting to her valiant resistance against her assailant. Multiple lacerations adorned her body, likely a result of the assailant severing her clothing with a pocket knife.
The subsequent autopsy unveiled her demise around 4:30 pm, attributed to severe head injuries inflicted by a limestone boulder weighing at least 27 kg. The assailant had lifted it from the ground, letting it plummet onto her head, leaving a cavity in the earth.
Despite the removal of her clothing, there was no evidence of sexual assault. Criminal profilers theorized that the frenzied brutality stemmed from the assailant venting frustration, possibly due to sexual inadequacy. Alternatively, the removal of clothing might have been a ruse, an endeavor to obfuscate the true motive of the crime.
Curious Last Movements
Felicia Wilson's perplexing final moments have confounded both law enforcement and historians. Despite the proximity to the bustling Kwinana Recreation Centre, where 16 people were still at work, and a mere 300m from the Health Centre, Felicia veered into scrubland. Detectives were astounded by the occurrence of such a brutal assault in broad daylight and in such close proximity to community facilities without any witnesses.
Witnesses Come Forward
In the aftermath of the crime, the community was stunned into silence and outrage, resulting in numerous calls and statements to the police. Two pivotal witnesses emerged: one reported sighting a man resembling the suspect around 3:30 pm, walking from the shire offices towards the Health Centre. Later, around 5:00 pm, another woman observed a man matching the description, walking on Sulphur Road towards Gilmore Avenue, now limping and holding his left hand to his forehead in apparent distress.
A noteworthy witness was a local driving up Sulphur Road, almost colliding with a man bolting from the area where Felicia’s body was discovered.
A Curious Fact
Aboriginal tracker Kevin Cameron, enlisted by the police post-m*rder, believed a jogger had stumbled upon Felicia Wilson's demise and fled. According to Cameron, the jogger witnessed the fatal encounter, tracked Felicia through the bush, observed the scuffle, and recounted the events.
Both witnesses described the suspect donning a light green shirt with long sleeves rolled up, an unusual choice for the hot and humid January and February climate in Western Australia. The suspect also bore a distinctive tattoo on his left forearm, a potentially pivotal piece of evidence for identification.
Police Investigation
Following Felicia Wilson's mrder in Kwinana, a substantial police force and detectives canvassed the area, gathering information door to door. Detectives investigating other violent homicides, including the mrder of Caroline Joan Fountain a month prior in Esperance, also joined the investigation. Special briefings were held at the Kwinana Council Hall to disseminate information while safeguarding the crime scene.
Felicia's m*rder deeply shook the Kwinana Senior High school community, prompting students to contribute to the investigation. Arts and crafts students crafted a detailed model of the crime scene, aiding investigators in understanding the intricate geography. Despite compelling suspects, police were unable to substantiate guilt, leading to the eventual scaling back of the investigation. The case remains unresolved, part of the growing list of West Australian unsolved homicides awaiting justice.
Investigation Continues
Despite the passage of time, Felicia Wilson's m*rder case endures as an open investigation. Law enforcement relentlessly pursues any leads or fresh information, with periodic reviews, including a significant one in 2015 when new forensic evidence surfaced. The Western Australia Police Department implores the public for any information to assist in resolving the case and providing justice for Felicia's family. The community of Kwinana honors Felicia's memory through a memorial bench in the town center.
Aftermath
The Wilson family, devastated by Felicia Wilson's m*rder on their son's eleventh birthday, continues to grapple with the enduring sense of loss. Retired police and detectives, who were once immersed in the case, carry the weight of the brutal and senseless nature of the crime. The unsolved status denies them closure, but the prospect of modern forensic analysis bringing justice offers a glimmer of hope. The Western Australia Police’s Major Crime Investigation Unit, led by Detective Senior Sergeant Garry Annetts, persistently seeks resolution, spurred by the desire to bring closure to Felicia's family and justice for her untimely demise.
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